TRIGGERING COLLECTION OF CONSUMER INPUT BASED ON LOCATION DATA
A method and system for gathering consumer feedback and information based at least in part on location data relating to movement of a consumer. A method and system are provided for gathering opinions and feedback from and having interactions with consumers to collect consumer responses to tasks requested by the system. The system may request that a consumer perform a task based on an analysis of the electronically-derived consumer location data as well as previously captured opinions and feedback. In addition, location-derived insights can be used to segment and further inform and refine the information gathered from consumers.
1 . A method of processing a plurality of units of location data for a plurality of consumers to determine whether to solicit information relating to commercial activity, the location data identifying a plurality of locations of the plurality of consumers at a plurality of times, the method comprising:
determining, using at least one processor and based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data for the plurality of consumers, at least one behavior for one or more of the plurality of consumers; and
in response to determining that the at least one behavior satisfies at least one condition to solicit the information, sending at least one message to a consumer soliciting information relating to commercial activity.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior for one or more of the plurality of consumers comprises determining that the consumer visited a commercial entity, wherein the determining is performed contemporaneously with the visit by the consumer to the commercial entity; and
sending at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises sending, contemporaneously with the visit by the consumer to the commercial entity, at least one message to the consumer soliciting information regarding the commercial entity.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises soliciting information from the consumer regarding a commercial entity, product, and/or service.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises sending at least one message to the consumer requesting that the consumer perform a task comprising interacting with a commercial entity and provide information relating to the consumer's interaction with the commercial entity.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the determining and the sending are performed by a system that processes the plurality of units of location data, and
sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises requesting that the consumer provide the information to the system that processes the plurality of units of location data.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
location data of the plurality of units of location data indicating a location of a consumer is electronically-derived at a time the consumer is visiting a setting; and
the determining and the sending are performed at times at which the consumer is present at the setting.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
location data of the plurality of units of location data indicating a location of a consumer is electronically-derived at a time the consumer is traveling toward a setting; and
the sending is performed at a time at which the consumer is traveling toward the setting.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior of the one or more consumers comprises predicting a behavior of the consumer; and
sending the at least one message in response to determining that the at least one behavior satisfies the at least one condition comprises sending the at least one message in response to determining that the predicted behavior satisfies the at least one condition.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior of the one or more consumers comprises determining a behavior in which a first consumer was engaged at the time one or more units of location data were derived; and
sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises sending the at least one message to the first consumer.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior of the one or more consumers comprises determining a behavior of a first consumer; and
sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises sending the at least one message to a second consumer different from the first consumer.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein determining the at least one behavior of the one or more consumers further comprises inferring and/or predicting a behavior of the second consumer based at least in part on the determined behavior of the first consumer.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein inferring and/or predicting the behavior of the second consumer comprises:
in response to determining the behavior of the first consumer, identifying one or more other consumers included in a group of consumers that includes the first consumer, consumers of the group of consumers having one or more characteristics in common, the one or more other consumers including the second consumer.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data comprises determining the at least one behavior based at least in part on a plurality of measurements of physical location for the one or more consumers.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data comprises determining the at least one behavior based at least in part on indications of location of a consumer provided by the consumer to a social networking service.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data comprises determining the at least one behavior based at least in part on indoor location data identifying a location of a consumer inside a setting.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers comprises determining a behavior of a group of behaviors consisting of visiting a first setting and traveling past a second setting during a same trip, deviating from a previously-determined pattern of behavior, and traveling toward a setting.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers comprises determining that a first consumer is visiting or has visited a setting based on a plurality of location measurements for the first consumer.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers comprises determining that a first consumer is traveling past or has traveled past a setting.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers comprises:
determining that a first consumer previously visited a first setting during a first trip; and
determining that the first consumer visited a second setting during a second trip, wherein determining that the first consumer visited the second setting is performed contemporaneously with the first consumer's visit to the second setting.
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers comprises determining that a first consumer is engaging or has engaged in a behavior that deviates from a previously-determined pattern of behavior for the first consumer.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior comprises determining at least one retail-relevant behavior for the one or more consumers.
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one behavior comprises determining at least one lifestyle-relevant behavior for the one or more consumers.
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises transmitting, via a communication network, the at least one message to a device operated by the consumer.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein:
the device operated by the consumer is a mobile device operated by the consumer; and
the method further comprises receiving location data of the plurality of units of location data from the mobile device operated by the consumer.
25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises transmitting, via a communication network, the at least one message using an e-mail address for the consumer.
26 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises requesting that the consumer respond with one or more answers to one or more questions.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein:
determining at least one behavior for one or more of the plurality of consumers comprises determining that a first consumer visited or is visiting a commercial entity; and
requesting that the consumer respond with one or more answers to one or more questions comprises requesting that the consumer answer one or more questions regarding in-store advertising at the commercial entity.
28 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises requesting that the consumer to obtain media and upload the media, via a communication network, to at least one computing device, a subject of the media being related to the commercial activity.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein requesting that the consumer obtain the media comprises requesting that the consumer obtain an image, video, and/or audio of a subject related to a commercial entity.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein requesting that the consumer obtain the image, video, and/or audio of a subject that is related to a commercial entity comprises requesting that the consumer obtain an image of a part of a store.
31 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises requesting that the consumer provide information regarding one or more items purchased by the consumer.
32 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises requesting that the consumer scan a UPC, QR code, and/or NFC tag and provide information obtained from the scan.
33 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
in response to receiving the solicited information from the consumer, providing at least one incentive to the consumer.
34 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
sending the at least one message to the consumer comprises sending the at least one message to a plurality of selected consumers; and
the method further comprises:
predicting and/or inferring, using the at least one processor and based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data for the plurality of consumers, at least one characteristic of consumers of the plurality of selected consumers, the predicting and/or inferring comprising predicting and/or inferring a first characteristic for a first set of consumers of the plurality of selected consumers;
receiving a second plurality of units of information from the plurality of selected consumers in response to the at least one message; and
analyzing the second plurality of units of information received from the plurality of selected consumers to determine, from the second plurality of units of information, attributes of information provided by consumers of the first set for which the first characteristic was predicted and/or inferred.
35 . A method of determining, based on location data, whether to solicit information relating to commercial activity, the method comprising:
receiving, over a period of time, a plurality of units of location data, the plurality of units of location data identifying a plurality of locations of the plurality of consumers at a plurality of times, the plurality of units of location data comprising multiple measurements of a physical location of a first consumer;
analyzing the plurality of units of location data and producing a result of the analysis;
determining, using at least one processor, whether the result of the analysis satisfies a condition for information to be solicited; and
in response to determining that the result satisfies the condition, sending at least one message to a consumer soliciting information relating to commercial activity of the first consumer.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein:
the multiple measurements of the physical location of the first consumer are electronically-derived measurements derived at a time the first consumer is visiting a setting; and
the determining and the sending are performed contemporaneous with the first consumer being present at the setting.
37 . The method of claim 35 , further comprising:
when it is determined that the result does not satisfy the condition, refraining from sending the at least one message to the first consumer.
38 . The method of claim 35 , wherein analyzing the plurality of units of location data and producing a result of the analysis comprises analyzing the plurality of units of location data to determine at least one characteristic of consumers of the plurality of consumers.
39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein analyzing the plurality of units of location data to determine the at least one characteristic comprises analyzing the plurality of units of location data to determine an identity characteristic of the first consumer, a behavior characteristic of the first consumer, and/or a preference characteristic of the first consumer.
40 . The method of claim 35 , wherein:
analyzing the plurality of units of location data comprises determining, using at least one processor, at least one behavior for one or more of the plurality of consumers; and
sending the at least one message to the first consumer in response to determining that the result of the analysis satisfies the condition comprises sending the at least one message in response to determining that the at least one behavior satisfies at least one condition for soliciting the information.
41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein:
location data of the plurality of units of location data indicating a location of a consumer is electronically-derived at a time the first consumer is visiting a setting; and
the determining and the sending are performed at times at which the first consumer is present at the setting.
42 . The method of claim 40 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior of the one or more consumers comprises determining a behavior in which a first consumer was engaged at the time one or more units of location data were derived.
43 . The method of claim 40 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior of the one or more consumers comprises determining a behavior of a second consumer, the second consumer being different from the first consumer.
44 . The method of claim 40 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers comprises determining a behavior of a group of behaviors consisting of visiting a setting, traveling past a setting, visiting a first setting and traveling past a second setting during a same trip, deviating from a previously-determined pattern of behavior, and traveling toward a setting.
45 . The method of claim 35 , wherein sending the at least one message to the first consumer soliciting the information comprises requesting that the first consumer perform a task of a group of tasks comprising requesting that the first consumer respond with one or more answers to one or more questions, requesting that the first consumer to obtain media of a subject relating to commercial activity and upload the media, via a communication network, to at least one computing device, and requesting that the first consumer scan a UPC, QR code, and/or NFC tag and provide information obtained from the scan.
46 . The method of claim 35 , wherein:
sending the at least one message to the first consumer comprises sending the at least one message to a plurality of selected consumers; and
the method further comprises:
predicting and/or inferring, using the at least one processor and based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data for the plurality of consumers, at least one characteristic of consumers of the plurality of selected consumers, the predicting and/or inferring comprising predicting and/or inferring a first characteristic for a first set of consumers of the plurality of selected consumers;
receiving a plurality units of information from the plurality of selected consumers in response to the at least one message; and
analyzing the plurality of units of information received from the plurality of selected consumers to determine, from the plurality of units of information, attributes of information provided by consumers of the first set for which the first characteristic was predicted and/or inferred.
47 . An apparatus comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one storage medium having encoded thereon executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out a method of processing a plurality of units of location data for a plurality of consumers to determine whether to solicit information relating to commercial activity, the location data identifying a plurality of locations of the plurality of consumers at a plurality of times, the method comprising:
determining, using at least one processor and based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data for the plurality of consumers, at least one behavior for one or more of the plurality of consumers; and
in response to determining that the at least one behavior satisfies at least one condition to solicit the information, sending at least one message to a consumer soliciting information relating to commercial activity.
48 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior for one or more of the plurality of consumers comprises determining that the consumer visited a commercial entity, wherein the determining is performed contemporaneously with the visit by the consumer to the commercial entity; and
sending at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises sending, contemporaneously with the visit by the consumer to the commercial entity, at least one message to the consumer soliciting information regarding the commercial entity.
49 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises sending at least one message to the consumer requesting that the consumer perform a task comprising interacting with a commercial entity and provide information relating to the consumer's interaction with the commercial entity.
50 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior of the one or more consumers comprises predicting a behavior of the consumer; and
sending the at least one message in response to determining that the at least one behavior satisfies the at least one condition comprises sending the at least one message in response to determining that the predicted behavior satisfies the at least one condition.
51 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior of the one or more consumers comprises determining a behavior in which a first consumer was engaged at the time one or more units of location data were derived; and
sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises sending the at least one message to the first consumer.
52 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein:
determining the at least one behavior of the one or more consumers comprises determining a behavior of a first consumer; and
sending the at least one message to the consumer soliciting the information comprises sending the at least one message to a second consumer different from the first consumer.
53 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data comprises determining the at least one behavior based at least in part on a plurality of measurements of physical location for the one or more consumers.
54 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein determining the at least one behavior for the one or more consumers comprises determining a behavior of a group of behaviors consisting of visiting a setting, traveling past a setting, visiting a first setting and traveling past a second setting during a same trip, deviating from a previously-determined pattern of behavior, and traveling toward a setting.
55 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein:
sending the at least one message to the consumer comprises sending the at least one message to a plurality of selected consumers; and
the method further comprises:
predicting and/or inferring, using the at least one processor and based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data for the plurality of consumers, at least one characteristic of consumers of the plurality of selected consumers, the predicting and/or inferring comprising predicting and/or inferring a first characteristic for a first set of consumers of the plurality of selected consumers;
receiving a second plurality of units of information from the plurality of selected consumers in response to the at least one message; and
analyzing the second plurality of units of information received from the plurality of selected consumers to determine, from the second plurality of units of information, attributes of information provided by consumers of the first set for which the first characteristic was predicted and/or inferred.
56 . A method of operating a portable computing device, the method comprising:
obtaining a plurality of units of location data, each of the plurality of units of location data indicating a location of a consumer determined as the consumer moved while engaging in at least one behavior;
transmitting the plurality of units of location data to at least one server;
receiving, from the at least one server, at least one message soliciting information relating to commercial activity, the at least one message having been transmitted by the at least one server at least partly in response to the at least one server determining the at least one behavior of the consumer based at least in part on the plurality of units of location data;
receiving, from the consumer via a user interface of the portable computing device, the information solicited by the at least one message; and
transmitting the information received from the consumer to the at least one server.
57 . The method of claim 56 , further comprising:
displaying to the consumer, via the user interface of the portable computing device, a description of the information solicited by the at least one message.
58 . The method of claim 56 , wherein receiving the at least one message soliciting information relating to the commercial activity comprises receiving at least one message requesting that the consumer perform a task of a group of tasks comprising requesting that the consumer provide one or more answers to one or more questions to the at least one server, requesting that the consumer to obtain media of a subject relating to commercial activity and upload the media, via a communication network, to the at least one server, and requesting that the consumer scan a UPC, QR code, and/or NFC tag and provide information obtained from the scan to the at least one server.
59 . The method of claim 56 , wherein obtaining the plurality of units of location data comprises measuring a physical location of the consumer contemporaneously with the consumer being present at a setting.
60 . The method of claim 59 , wherein receiving the information solicited by the at least one message from the consumer comprises receiving the information contemporaneously with the consumer being present at the setting.
61 . The method of claim 60 , wherein receiving the at least one message soliciting the information relating to commercial activity comprises receiving at least one message soliciting information relating to the setting, wherein the setting is a commercial entity.
62 . The method of claim 61 , wherein receiving at least one message soliciting information relating to the commercial entity comprises receiving information relating to opinions of the consumer regarding the commercial entity.
63 . The method of claim 61 , wherein receiving at least one message soliciting information relating to the commercial entity comprises receiving information relating to observations of the consumer regarding in-store marketing at the commercial entity.
64 . The method of claim 56 , wherein obtaining the plurality of units of location data that each indicate a location of the consumer determined as the consumer moved while engaging in the at least one behavior comprises obtaining the plurality of units of location data that each indicate a location of the consumer determined as the consumer engaged in a behavior of a set of behaviors consisting of visiting a setting, traveling past a setting, visiting a first setting and traveling past a second setting during a same trip, deviating from a previously-determined pattern of behavior, and traveling toward a setting.
65 . The method of claim 56 , wherein obtaining the plurality of units of location data comprises:
measuring a physical location of the consumer as the consumer engages in the at least one behavior; and
identifying a setting corresponding to the physical location.
66 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the acts of measuring and identifying are performed by the portable computing device.
67 . The method of claim 65 , wherein identifying a setting corresponding to the physical location comprises comparing the physical location to at least one definition of at least one setting of a set of settings stored on at least one storage medium of the portable computing device.